Lingual braces are a great alternative to traditional braces. They allow the wearer to achieve straighter teeth without worrying about anyone seeing them, unlike traditional metal braces. They’re fixed to the back of the teeth with brackets and wires and work in a similar way to fixed braces when it comes to straightening the teeth. This can be an excellent solution for those who may feel self-conscious about the appearance of metal braces, particularly if they are wearing them later in life.
As the braces are fixed to the back of the teeth, this means there will be less space for your tongue. Consequently, some wearers report speech problems as a result of their lingual braces.
However, here at Dental Solutions, we are very lucky to have orthodontic specialist Badri Chari in the practice. Therefore, we’re highly experienced in advising patients on how to deal with the first couple of days after starting an orthodontic treatment, offering support throughout the process.
Every person is different, so the lingual braces speech problems you may experience might differ to someone else. Generally speaking, as the braces are on the back of the teeth, it can impact your ability to say the letter “s”. This can result in a temporary lisp. It’s important to understand that this isn’t permanent! So don’t panic, you will soon learn to adjust to your new braces. Other people might experience a whistling sound as they adjust to the lingual braces, again, this can vary from patient to patient.
It’s important to remember that your lingual braces speech problems will only be temporary. It might take a few days or even a few weeks, but you can expect your speech to return to normal fairly quickly. As your tongue adjusts to the space inside your mouth, you will soon be able to speak as you normally would.
There are certain speech exercises you may wish to engage with to help your speech will return to normal as quickly as possible. This includes reciting phrases or words, such as the below Rainbow Passage.
It’s easy to feel self-conscious when you first get your braces. When people discover they have a slight lisp, they will often stop speaking out of embarrassment. However, it is really important that you practice speaking – even if you feel silly to begin with. Your mouth needs to get used to making the sounds with the new braces in place, so it’s important that you practice often. You can try reciting the following passage a few times a day. This is known as the Rainbow Passage and includes most of the sounds found in the English language.
When the sunlight strikes raindrops in the air, they act as a prism and form a rainbow. The rainbow is a division of white light into many beautiful colours. These take the shape of a long round arch, with its path high above, and its two ends apparently beyond the horizon. There is, according to legend, a boiling pot of gold at one end. People look, but no one ever finds it. When a man looks for something beyond his reach, his friends say he is looking for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
Other than lingual braces speech problems once your braces have been fitted, you may suffer some discomfort as your tongue adjusts to the brackets and wires. Your dentist will provide a special kind of wax that you can put over any uncomfortable wires or brackets if they are causing you too much discomfort. This will help to prevent any irritation on your tongue, lips or cheeks.
It’s important that you look after your lingual braces and maintain a good level of oral health during the teeth straightening process. This will ensure your treatment is as smooth as possible. As with many braces, lingual braces can give bacteria, food fragments and plaque more hiding spots – which can negatively impact your oral health if you don’t keep on top of it. Ensure that you’re flossing (Tepe floss is especially effective) and that you’re rinsing your mouth with fluoride mouthwash after mealtimes. Additionally, a water flosser may help you keep your mouth clean in-between trips to the dentist.
There are only a few dental practices in the UK that offer lingual braces. At Dental Solutions, our orthodontic specialist Badri Chari is on hand to offer our patients the very best lingual braces treatment and aftercare. If you’re interested in lingual braces and how they could help you achieve your dream smile, please don’t hesitate to get in touch for a consultation. You can give us a call on 01925 756565 or follow this link to book an appointment
